“How long will it take me to heal?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions that Physical Therapists receive, regardless of the injury. The short answer is almost always: it depends!
Healing time varies for every patient and injury, and each treatment plan should be personalized based on the individual’s prior function and personal goals. For ankle fractures, factors like the fracture type, location, and severity of the fracture can play a big role. A more complex fracture pattern or multiple fracture sites will typically take longer to heal than a smaller, hairline fracture.
This article will cover the basics of ankle fracture diagnosis, the goals of Physical Therapy, and the benefits of attending regular Physical Therapy sessions after being diagnosed with an ankle fracture.
Can you walk with a fractured ankle?
Not yet. As with any other injury, it’s best not to exert weight or walk with an injured ankle. These weight-bearing restrictions usually come from their Primary Care Provider (PCP) or an Orthopedic Specialist. Early on, most patients are non-weight bearing (NWB) to protect from the recent fracture. Non-weight bearing is important for an ankle fracture, because it:
- Prevents movement or displacement of the fracture site
- Allows a bony callus to form, which is crucial for the healing process
- Helps avoid complications like re-alignment surgery
The weight-bearing restrictions will also depend on the location and nature of the fracture. Patients can be non-weight-bearing in a cast, ankle brace, or, more often, a walking boot.
Weight-bearing progressions will be directed by the physician directly overseeing care for the ankle fracture. Advances are usually aligned with soft tissue and fractured bone healing times (muscle, ankle ligaments, and tendons) and progress slowly.
Types of Ankle Fractures
There are various types of ankle fractures that can impact healing time, including:
- Lateral Malleolus Fracture: A break in the fibula on the outer side of the ankle, typically taking around 6 weeks to heal.
- Medial Malleolus Fracture: A fracture in the tibia on the inner side of the ankle, which can sometimes require more time or surgery for proper healing.
- Bimalleolar Fracture: A fracture involving both the fibula and tibia, often requiring surgery and extended recovery time.
- Trimalleolar Fracture: A more severe type of fracture involving three parts of the ankle, usually needing surgery and a longer rehabilitation period.
How long should you stay off a fractured ankle?
An ankle break or fracture can make it difficult to perform everyday activities, but it’s important to stay off an injured ankle for as long as the physician says. The physician has clear insight into how the ankle fractures are healing through routine x-rays and imaging.
Between known healing times and individual healing progression, each physician typically has guidelines they follow to help determine when to clear a patient to start partial weight-bearing.
However, staying off a fractured ankle doesn’t mean complete bed rest or immobility. Early intervention with physical therapy allows for pain-free movement and helps address:
- Pain management
- Decreased flexibility
- Limited mobility
- Muscle activation
There is plenty to work on while off the ankle, allowing that healing to occur. Early intervention and the help of a physical therapist may be beneficial, helping you gain strength and mobility in preparation for when you can start putting weight on your leg. By building strength beforehand, you’ll have a head start when you’re cleared to begin weight-bearing activities.
Ankle fracture recovery time
An ankle injury can take up to 8 weeks to heal. It doesn’t mean those entire 8 weeks will be painful, non-weight bearing, completely restricted time. A lot of healing can occur early on with an ankle fracture. Bone tissue regenerates very quickly, laying down new stronger ankle bone around the fracture site.
What sometimes takes more time is this new boney tissue’s total healing and maturing process in order to be strong enough to withstand increased activity such as bending, squatting, walking, and especially higher-level activities such as running and jumping.
What is the best treatment for a fractured ankle?
The best treatment for fractured ankles is early intervention and orthopedic physical therapy. It is also important to avoid bed rest and ankle non-use.
Early physical therapy can involve:
- Personalized education
- Pain control
- Elevation
- Gentle stretching
- Mobility
- Hands-on manual therapy
- Strengthening
- Balance training
- Proprioception
- Neuromuscular control
Once weight-bearing and walking have been initiated, we can continue to treat gait deficits and dysfunction with stairs, squatting, balance, and higher-level activities such as running and jumping after physician clearance. Ankle injuries, whether a completely broken ankle bone or a fracture, do not always have the easiest recoveries. But, following these guidelines and seeking early intervention and treatment can help with the recovery time and process.
Speed up your recovery.
Schedule an appointment with an Ivy Rehab clinic near you. Let us help ease your pain.
Signs That Your Ankle is Healing Properly
As your ankle heals, you’ll notice gradual improvements in swelling, pain levels, and mobility. Early signs of proper healing include:
- Reduced ankle or leg pain when at rest and during light activities
- Range of motion in your ankle starts to improve
- Swelling decreases
- Able to begin weight-bearing with little to no discomfort
These are signs that your healing is on track. Always consult with your physical therapist to ensure your progress aligns with your recovery plan.
We’re Here for You
Physical therapy can help speed recovery and ensure an ankle pain-free return to your prior level of function after an ankle fracture. Addressing mobility deficits, weakness, and poor balance as the fracture site heals speeds recovery and allows you to return to your sport or activity faster than without rehabilitation physical therapy.
Physical Therapy can be a different process for every patient. Every injury and treatment progression looks different depending on patient tolerance, pain levels, and impairments. Every person has their own goals, job tasks, activities or recreation, and life to get back to. That’s where Ivy Rehab can help.
If you have broken your ankle, our physical therapists are here to help. Visit our website to request an appointment online at the location near you.
